Method of and apparatus for producing manifold continuous forms



Sept. 23, 1924.

V H. E. MURRAY ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MANIFOLD CONTINUOUS FORMS Filed Nov. '7 19 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

H. E. MURRAY ET AIL,

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MANIFOLD CONTINUOUS FORMS Filed OV- 7. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

' a full, clear,

' Patented Se t. 23, 1924.

HERBERT n MURRAY, or near CLEVELAN D, AND GEORGE A. MAYER, OF LAKEWOOD,

OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE MANIFOLD PRINTING COMIANY,.O'F CLEVELAND, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING LIANIFOLD CONTINUOUS FORKS.

Application filed November 7, 1921. Serial No. 513,326.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, (1) HERBERT E. .MUR- RAY, (2) GEORGE A; MAYER, citizens of the United States, residing at (l) East-Cleveland,

5 (2) Lakewood, in the county of Cu ahoga' and State ofOhio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Im rovement in Methods of and -Apparatus for roducing Manifold Con tinuous Forms, of which the following is and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. This invention relates to the art of printing and has to do more particularly with improvements in printing presses of the so- 1 called rotary type for printing what are known as manifold continuous forms, and to a process practiced upon the pressand under which said forms are produced.

Among the several objects of the invention are the production of a the aforesaid class wherein a plurality of printing couples, used to produce definitely related" impressions upon a web of paper, are so disposed to each other as to enable an operator to apply the plates or other printing devices to-the cylinders of the respective couples from a single position, thereby affording convenience in setting up the matter within the press and greatly facilitating the adjustment of the-plates or other printing devices on the respective cylinders so that the impressions from one cylinder will be properly related to the impressions produced by' the other cylinder to provide a press of the aforesaid class wherein the various guides, printing couples, and other equipment performing operations upon the paper are so arranged as to aflord a comparatively' straight and short course for. the web through the press, thus facilitating the threading of the press, avoiding undue stretching of the paper, and reducing the liability of tearing the such an arrangement, the web is not exposed in such lengths and tosuch positions as would subject it to thedanger of things striking it; to provide a press of the aforeprinting press of web since, by 7 said character wherein printing by both the offset and direct methods ma be simultaneously practiced; to provi e a press whereon manifold continuous forms are produced and which is equipped with punching dies that are capable of being adjusted and individually vrendered inoperative so that that changes in arrangement determining the exact nature all forms of a set are alike as to the blanks which are to be filled in. Therefore,

' spacing of the transverse any given ones of a set of forms may be punched while the others are left intact, the punching equipment being very convenient of manipulation and readily accessible so of the punching may be readily efl'ected' a As to the manifold continuous forms, it will be understood that these consist of a. plurality of superposed strips of blank forms that are "folded throughout their lengths in zigzag fashion on transverse lines to render themcompact, convenient of handling, and suitable for use in continuous billing machinesa style of typewriter designed especially for the writing of forms of this character.

The present approved method of producing manifold continuous forms consists in impressing or printing the matter constituting the forms in longitudinal columns on reverse sides of a Web of paper, the columns on one side alternating with those on the other so that when the web is subsequently folded, preferably in zigzag fashion, along lines separating adjacent columns appearing on reverse sides of the web, the forms of each column will properly register with those of the others and all forms will face in the same direction. The corresponding forms of the various strips or columns are known as a set of forms, each set being a duplicate of all the others, although it will be understood that all forms of each set need not be identical in every particular, the use to which the individual forms are to be put ever,

proper registry of the forms After folding the web along lines, as above described, it is folded in zigzag fashion on transverse lines which separate adjacent sets of forms, or adjacent groups of two or more sets. -Whether there is, one or more sets between adjacent transverse folds depends usually on the length of the form as compared to the convenient folds, the spacing of the transverse folds being more or less arbitrary and such as will produce packets of convenient size.

It frequently happens that I certain forms is essential.

thereof. How-.-

longitudinal i zlu m of eachset are to filed or bound in tempora binders in which case the forms are provi ed with apertures for the accommodation of suitable filing posts. It is quite de- 6 sirable, however, that the other forms of the setthat is, those which are not to be .found or fi1ed-be left -intact and free from such post receiving apertures.

So far as we know, it has been the practice prior 'to our invention to punch the forms after the web has been folded as above described, thus making it necessary to punch all forms of each set, and sometimes to avoid having apertures in those of the forms which were not intended for filing, a

margin was left on all forms for the accom- 1 modation of filing post apertures which afterwards was torn off those forms which were not to be filed. This was awaste of and material and considerable of an inconvenience and imparted to the forms from which the margins were torn'a more or less mutilated appearance.

Alsoit'ma be explained that often it is $5 more desirab e to print certain matter of the form b the offset method for'the reason that it oes not strike through the paper as is the case when printin directly from the type, as, for instance, w en certain leg- 9 end to be impressed or inscribed upon the reverse side of the form; while, with respect to the other data that is to appear upon the f form, such, for instance, as trade-marks, se-

"rial numbers, etc., it is essential that the same be absolutely'permanent and less susceptible .to eradication than impressions made through the offset method, and in such instances it is desirable to print by the direct method.

I Further objectsof the invention are to provide a process'through which manifold continuous forms may be printed simultaneousl by the offset and direct printing metho s; and to provide a method of producing manifold continuous forms wherein one or more ,of the forms of each'set' may be provided with filin post apertures, while the others of the set s all' remain intact.

The exact nature of our improvements will 0 be better understood by reference to the drawings accompanying and forming a art hereof and wherein similar reference 0 aracters, used in the following detailed de-- scription of the invention, sponding arts throughout the several views.

designate corre- In the rawings, Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the essential elements of our improved rotary lpress; Fig. 2 "is a fragmentary elevational view of the unching equipment; Fi 3 is'a sectional etailon the line 3-3 0 Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is rspective view of a. web of paper s. been printed and punched on our imprjeved' rose and shown in the s m of being 01 ed; Fig. 5 in. perspective pression elements moun view of the manifold continuous form; and Fig. 6 is an exaggerated transverse section through the same. Inasmuch as our invention relates in no way to the structural features of a rotary press, but has to do purely with the arrangement of the printing couples, punches, perforators and guides, it is deemed advisable for the sake of clearness to omit structural details and show, diagrammatically, as in Fig. 1, the arrangement of the essential elements of the press and to illustrate them in conventional outline.

Proceeding then, with a more s ific de-.

scription of our invention and with reference particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the web of paper, designated 1, is shown as being drawn from a supply roll' 2 over a guide roller or bar 3 between an impression cylinder 4 and transfer cylinder 5 of a printing couple A. This couple includes also a plate cylinder 6 and an inking outfit -7' of usual'construction, and will be readily recognized from the arrangement of its parts as one for performing the offset method of printing. with the plate cylinder 6 the usuhl dampening mechanism 8. The web 1 continues on from the printing couple A, between compensating or justifying rollers 10, to a second printing couple B that is similar to the first and comprises corresponding elements designated by the same reference characters. The web passes from the second rinting couple over a blanket roller 12 and tween There is associated it and a cylinder 13 that is provided with a series of perforating blades 14 which, by cooperation with the blanket roller 12, perforates the web transversely at regular intervals. From here the web is directed over uides 15 and 16 and between compensating or justifying rollers 17 and thenceover shaft so that the printing e ements of one .0 linder will cobperate with the impression e ementsi of the other. Inking outfits 20 en 1y ink to the numbering heads.

own as disposed below the numbering c linders are the punching dies for proucing the filingpost a rtures hereinbefore referred to. s will seen more clearly from Figs. 2 and 3, the entering and receiying elements of the dies, which are desigadjusted with respect to the spiders by reason of their being connected thereto by clamping screws 29 which extend through slots 30 of the spiders. The spiders are keyed to the shafts 28 and are readily adjustable therealong. In setting up the press for the production of a given form, the cooperating die members are brought into proper transverse position so as to locate the apertures correctly as to their transverse positions upon the forms, and the dies are adjusted, circumferentially of the spiders, to roperly locate the apertures longitudinal y of the forms. There is a set of dies for each longitudinal column of forms, and in those cases where certain of the forms are to be without filing post apertures, the corresponding dies are shifted transversely with respect to each other thereby to be thrown out of register and accordingly rendered inoperative by moving the spiders longitudinally of the shafts 28.

After being punched, the web passes on over the guides 35, 36 and 37 between perforating rollers 40 which produce the longitudinal rows of perforations between the columns of forms, and thence over ,a guide 41 to what is known as a rewind 42 which serves to wind the paper into a roll 43.

Attention is called to the fact that, by reason of the relation between, and the proper spacing apart of the printing couples A and B, an operator is permitted to stand between these couples when placing plates upon the respective cylinders 6 thereof, his ability to mount the plates on the two cylinders without having to go from one place to another contributing to convenience and a saving of time, but what is regarded as of considerable more importance is that without changing his position except in turning from one cylinder to the other, he is enabled to adjust the plates of-the two cylinders so that the impressions made therefrom upon the web will be in correct relative positlons.

What may also be ointed out as an advantage arising from t e arrangement which our invention provides is the comparatively direct course of the web through the press.

This facilitates threading of the press and gives greater-protection to the web than 1n cases where the web is carried overhead or below platforms and exposed to the liability of injury as from. its being struck and torn by passin objects, and, furthermore, there is lesslike ihood of the web stretching and throwing the forms out of register than in cases where greater lengths of web occur between successive feeding mechanisms. The principal factor contributing to the attainment of this advantage is the reversee arrangement of the constituent of the two printing couples A and B. This allows the web to be carried directly from one to the other without having to reverse or turn it over for the purpose of printing on its opposite sides.

Turning our attention now to the product of the apparatus above described, it will be understood that as the web passes through the printing couple A a series of form columns are printed on one side of it, and as it passes through the printingcouple B, a second series of form columns are printed upon the reverse side of the web intermediate the columns of the first series. The

"forms thus printed on the opposite sides of the web are given their proper serial nuur bers by the printing cylinders A and B, the body portions of the forms having been impressed upon the web by the offset method while the numbers have been imparted-thereto by the direct method of printing. After being and 26 to provide tie filing post apertures,

the web is perforated longitudinally between I the ,printed columns occurring on its reverse sides by means of the perforating rollers 40. From here, according to our present illustration, the web is rewound into the roll 43; but whether rewound or passed immediately from the press to the folding apparatus, it is ultimately gathered together transversely into superposed strips, as in dicated in Fig. 4, after which itvis folded in zigzag manner into the form illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the finishedproduct', as illustrated in Fig. 5, the successive strips or columns bear the respective form Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4t and 5. Now let it be assumed that forms Nos. 1,

4 and 5 of each set are to be provided with Nos. 2 an 3 are shifted out of registry so as to be rendered inoperative and as a consequence thereof as the web comes from the press only columns bearing forms Nos. 1, 4 and .5 have apertures 50. This is better illustrated in Fig.-6. Y

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1-. In printing apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of printingcouples wherein the arrangement of the constituents of one couple is the reverse of that of the other so that a web of pa er directed therethrough will be printed y the respective couples on opposite sides thereof, and a pair of printing cylinders between unched by the dies 25 sisting of printing and impresslon elements,

the printing elements of one cylinder cooprating with the impression elements of the other so that said cylinders print on opposite sides of the web. 2. In printing apparatus of the character setforth, the combination ofa pair of offset printing .cou les wherein the arrangement of the constituents of one cou le is the reverse of that of the other so t at a web of pa er directed therethrough will be printe by the respective couples on opposite 1o sides, and a pair of direct printing cy indem between which the web is. passed, each cylinder consisting of printing and impression.

- elements, the printing elements of one cylinder cooperatin with the impression elements' of the ot er so that'sald' cylinders print on opposite sides of the web.

press for punching filing. post apertures in said columns, the punching means for the I individual columns being capable of adjustment whereby they may be rendered inoperative so that onl certain ones of the columns are punche I 4. In arotary press, the combination of printing couples arranged to print longitudinal columns of forms on reverse sides of a web of paper, the columns on one side alternating with those on the other, and punching apparatus incorporated in the press for punchin filing post apertures in saidv columns, t e punching means-for the individual columns being adjustable transversely of the columns and capable of being rendered 'ino erative so that only-certain ones of the co umns are punched.

5. In a', rotary press, the combination of printing couples arranged to print longitudinal columns of forms on reverse" sides of a web of paper, the columns on one side of the web alternating with those on the other, a

pair of shafts, spiders carried thereby that are adjustable longitudinally of the shafts, and punching'dies carried by the spiders of V the respective shafts and adjustable cirthe sheets of each setless in number than I cumferentially of the spiders, as and for-- the purpose s ecified'. 1 x

6. A metho of producin manifold contmuous formscharacterize by certain of verse folds conatitut' those constituting the entire set are pmvided with filing post apertures which consists in printing columns of forms longitudinally on reverse sides of a web of material, the columns on one side alterna with those on the other, folding the web on lines separatingadjacent columns occurring on reverse sides of the webthereby to sumpoee the longitudinal sections of the web ring such columns so that the forms all face the same direction, foldingthe superposed strips on transverse lines at intervals throughout their lengths, the corresponding areas of the superposed strips defined by a jacent transa set of sheets,

and punching the web prior to folding 'it I0 that certain of the sheets of wheat lees sists in impressing upon the reverse sides of a web of material longitudinal columns of forms, the columns on one side alternating with those on the other, perforating the we along longitudinal lines separatin adjacent columns occurrin on reverse si es of the web, perforatin t e web on transverse lines at intervals t roughout its" length, the areas of the various columns ly' between adjacent transverse linesconstitutmg a set of form sheets, and punching certain of the sheets of each set less in number than that comprisin the entire set, and folding the web on t e longitudinal lines of perfora tions, and in-zigzagfashion on the transverse lines of perforations. Q

8. In a rotary press, the combination with printing means arranged to print a series of longitudinal columns of matter on a web of paper, and punching a paratus incorporated in the press for unc m filin post apertures in certain 0 said co umns ess innumber than that comprising the entire series.

Intestimony whereof, we hereunto aflix our signatures.

- HEBBERT E. MURRAY.

' (moron a MAYER. 

